Precision cold rolled stainless steel strip is a narrow, thin-gauge stainless steel product manufactured to significantly tighter thickness and width tolerances than standard cold-rolled sheet.
Unlike standard sheet (typically 1000mm or 1219mm wide), precision strip is produced in narrow widths — usually less than 600mm — and thin gauges from 0.05mm up to 3.0mm. The key differentiator is the tolerance: the precision strip holds thickness variations to as low as ±0.005mm, compared to ±0.05mm for the standard sheet.
This level of precision makes it the material of choice for high-volume, high-accuracy manufacturing processes where consistency from coil to coil is critical.
Key Features
| Feature |
Benefit |
| Tight thickness tolerances |
Consistent material for high-speed stamping and forming |
| Narrow widths available |
Reduces scrap and eliminates secondary slitting |
| Excellent surface quality |
2B, BA, or No.4 finish options |
| Uniform mechanical properties |
Predictable performance in automated processes |
| Edge condition options |
Slit edge, deburred edge, or rounded edge |
| Wide grade range |
201, 301, 304, 316, 410, 430, and more |
Precision Strip vs. Standard Sheet
| Feature |
Precision Strip |
Standard Sheet |
| Typical width |
5 – 600 mm |
1000 – 1500 mm |
| Thickness tolerance |
±0.005 to ±0.03 mm |
±0.05 to ±0.15 mm |
| Width tolerance |
±0.05 to ±0.10 mm |
±2.0 to ±5.0 mm |
| Coil weight |
100 – 2000 kg |
3000 – 8000 kg |
| Surface finish |
2B, BA, No.4, HL |
2B, BA, No.4, Mirror |
| Primary use |
Precision stamping, electronics, springs |
General fabrication, tanks, panels |
Specifications Table
| Parameter |
Details |
| Product name |
Precision Cold Rolled Stainless Steel Strip |
| Standards |
ASTM A240, ASTM A480, EN 10088-2, EN 10258, JIS G4305 |
| Thickness range |
0.05 mm – 3.0 mm |
| Thickness tolerance |
±0.005 mm to ±0.03 mm (depending on thickness) |
| Width range |
5 mm – 600 mm |
| Width tolerance |
±0.05 mm to ±0.10 mm |
| Coil inner diameter |
300 mm, 400 mm, 500 mm |
| Coil outer diameter |
Up to 1200 mm |
| Coil weight |
100 kg – 2000 kg |
| Edge type |
Slit edge, deburred edge, rounded edge |
| Surface finish |
2B, BA (Bright Annealed), No.4, Hairline |
| Grades available |
201, 301, 304, 304L, 316, 316L, 410, 420, 430 |
Chemical Composition (Most Common Grades)
| Element |
304 |
316 |
301 |
430 |
| Carbon (C) |
≤ 0.08 |
≤ 0.08 |
≤ 0.15 |
≤ 0.12 |
| Manganese (Mn) |
≤ 2.00 |
≤ 2.00 |
≤ 2.00 |
≤ 1.00 |
| Chromium (Cr) |
18.0-20.0 |
16.0-18.0 |
16.0-18.0 |
16.0-18.0 |
| Nickel (Ni) |
8.0-10.5 |
10.0-14.0 |
6.0-8.0 |
≤ 0.75 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) |
— |
2.0-3.0 |
— |
— |
Mechanical Properties (Annealed Condition)
| Grade |
Tensile Strength (MPa) |
Yield Strength (MPa) |
Elongation (%) |
Hardness (HRB) |
| 304 |
≥ 515 |
≥ 205 |
≥ 40 |
≤ 92 |
| 316 |
≥ 515 |
≥ 205 |
≥ 40 |
≤ 95 |
| 301 |
≥ 515 |
≥ 205 |
≥ 40 |
≤ 95 |
| 430 |
≥ 450 |
≥ 205 |
≥ 22 |
≤ 88 |
301 can be cold rolled to higher tensile strengths (up to 1500+ MPa) for spring applications.
Surface Finishes for Precision Strip
| Finish |
Code |
Appearance |
Best For |
| 2B |
2B |
Smooth, semi-reflective matte |
General stamping, forming, food contact |
| BA (Bright Annealed) |
BA |
Highly reflective, mirror-like |
Decorative parts, electronics, appliances |
| No.4 Brushed |
No.4 |
Fine satin lines |
Visible architectural or consumer parts |
| Hairline |
HL |
Very fine uniform lines |
High-end decorative trim |
Applications
Precision cold rolled stainless steel strip is used across industries that require consistent, tight-tolerance material for high-volume production.
1. Automotive
Spring clips, hose clamps, piston rings, shims, gaskets, wiper blade inserts.
2. Electronics
Battery contacts, EMI shielding, connector pins, lead frames, SIM card holders.
3. Medical Devices
Surgical instruments, needle tubes, guide wires, orthodontic brackets, implantable device components.
4. Consumer Goods
Razor blades, scissors, kitchen knife blades, tape measure blades, watch bands.
5. Industrial
Compressor valve reeds, bellows, gaskets, shims, heat exchanger fins, spring washers.
6. Construction
Door frame components, curtain wall anchors, window hardware, roofing clips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between precision strip and standard sheet?
A: Precision strip is narrower (typically <600mm) and held to much tighter thickness and width tolerances. Standard sheet is wide and has looser tolerances.
Q: What is the thinnest precision strip available?
A: Down to 0.05 mm (0.002 inches) — about the thickness of a sheet of paper.
Q: Can precision strip be supplied in hard (full hard) condition?
A: Yes. Grades like 301 can be cold rolled to full hard, half hard, or quarter hard conditions for spring applications.
Q: What edge types are available?
A: Slit edge (standard), deburred edge (smooth), or rounded edge (fully radiused).
Q: Is precision strip more expensive than standard sheet?
A: Yes, due to tighter tolerances and additional processing. The higher material cost is offset by reduced scrap and faster production in your process.
